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Super League giants Warrington tackle NRL side St George Illawarra in the first game of the expanded 2015 World Club Series. Join The Roar from 6.40am (AEDT) for all the action from the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Warrington finished fifth in Super League last year and were one game from the grand final, but were knocked out by Wigan. The Wolves have started the 2015 season on a flyer with victories over Hull FC and Salford.
They are a well-drilled team with a number of great players and a good defensive structure. On home soil they will be tough to beat.
The Dragons came 11th last year in the NRL, two points off the top eight but with a disappointing second half of the season. Paul McGregor is in charge now and there has been a lot of changes to their squad with Gerard Beale, Matt Groat, Brett Morris, Kyle Stanley and Sam Williams departing.
In has come Beau Henry, Justin Hint, Krist Keating, Dane Nielsen, George Rose and Heath L’Estrange. St George Illawarra played out a 12-12 draw in the Charity Shield with Souths and will be out to make amends from a poor 2014.
There’s a number of interesting subplots in this game. Warrington coach Tony Smith, the brother of Brian, is a former Dragons and Steelers player. He is very keen to win this match and get one over his old club.
The Wolves are skippered by former Raiders winger Joel Monaghan and have one-time Dragon and Gerringong boy Ashton Sims, as well as ex-Souths and Bulldogs prop Roy Asotasi, in their ranks. All three will know St George Illawarra well.
On the other side Benji Marshall and Englishmen Gareth Widdop are still finding their feet as a halves partnership but if they do tonight, they could lead the Dragons to victory. Heath L’Estrange knows all about playing in England, after several seasons with Bradford, while Tyson Frizell and Jason Nightengale have also played international footy in the Old Dart.
This should be a close game and what might edge it in Warrington’s favour is home advantage, the fact they have already started their Super League season and their familiarity with the conditions. Apart from the Charity Shield, this is the Dragons first real game of 2015 and it will be certainly be a cold night at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
I’m tipping the Wolves to just sneak a win in this one. Look out for the likes of fullback Stefan Ratchford, prop Chris Hill and hooker Daryl Clark to be prominent.
Join The Roar for all the action from 6.40am (AEDT).
Follow John Davidson on Twitter @johnnyddavidson.
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